Q: I saw one of your earlier articles where you said that using finger sticks throughout the day to test your blood sugar isn’t necessary for people with type 2 diabetes, but this doesn’t make sense. I test for peace of mind, and to help me determine what to eat at meals. I don’t see how any diabetic could go more than a day without testing. So I was wondering if you’ve changed your recommendation.

-R.B.A: Hi R.B.,

You’re the exception, not the rule. You obviously make intelligent and constructive use of your tests by modifying your diet based on results. But, believe it or not, this isn’t the norm. Based on the medical literature — including the studies I cited in my previous article — and my clinical experience, very few people take any specific action after routine testing, other than recording their levels.

That’s why, in most cases, I believe a much better way to monitor blood sugar levels is the hemoglobin AIC test. However, for people like you who take action when their reading is high, the finger stick test makes sense. In fact, at my clinic, when patients choose to continue their finger sticks, we support them with a specific course of action: exercise.

Exercise, like insulin, has the ability to lower blood sugar levels, and lower it fast. When you’re in a resting state, the large muscles of your body require insulin in order for glucose to enter the cells. If those muscles are exercising, however, glucose and other nutrients can enter the muscle cells even in the absence of insulin. This is a well-known but little-used method of lowering blood sugar, and it’s ideal for people with type 2 diabetes.

If a finger stick test reveals a blood sugar level of 280 (substantially higher than is healthy) then I suggest simply walking for about a half hour, waiting another hour, and repeating the finger stick. More often than not, you’ll see a dramatic drop, sometimes below 200. That’s how powerful exercise can be.

In your case, you’ve illustrated how making modifications to your diet can also be effective, and I commend you for finding a way to use the finger stick test to help you take control of your condition.

Yours in good health,Dr. WhitakerDid You Know?Losing weight can also help with blood sugar control. If you’re looking for an effective, easy-to-stick-with way to drop unwanted pounds and regain control of your health, I invite you to participate in my Diabesity Challenge. For complete details, visit www.drwhitaker.com/challenge.

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